An evangelist and his daughter were attacked recently by Hindu radicals in an area of Odisha where Christians are facing severe persecution. The evangelist, “Kundir,” was severely beaten, and his teenage daughter was sexually assaulted. VOM is helping pay medical expenses for Kundir, who was hospitalized with serious injuries. Please pray for this family as they recover.

The couple served in Haiti for more than 25 years. Fifteen of those years have been spent serving with AMG International. During this time, Rodne and his wife planted numerous churches, established multiple schools, and oversaw two medical clinics be built.

Now, their circumstances of their lives are shifting. Rodne is no longer able to walk and uses a wheelchair to get around. The cancer has widespread lesions in both the kidneys, his spleen, and wrapped around his spinal cord.​Thanks to a caring doctor, Rodne is now receiving treatment in the United States. In November, he began radiation. Now he is working through a 6-cycle course of chemotherapy every three weeks...

Two brothers from a village in Nigeria continue to recover from serious injuries they received after being kidnapped on Oct. 24 by Boko Haram insurgents. Wandiya, 12, and Praise, 8, were kidnapped along with their family and others from Mubi, Adamawa State, and taken to a compound that was later bombed by military forces. Wandiya received severe injuries to his leg, eyes and hands, and Praise lost his eye. The children are now receiving medical treatment, and VOM is helping pay for their education. The boys still have pain from their injuries, but they thank God for saving their lives.

Pray on December 13th for Christians in PakistanPray on December 14th for Christians in GazaPray on December 15th for Christians in NigeriaPray on December 16th for Christians in IraqPray on December 17th for Christians in SudanPray on December 18th for Christians in IranPray on December 19th for Christians in Saudi ArabiaPray on December 20th for Christians in SyriaPray on December 21st for Christians in EritreaPray on December 22nd for Christians in MaldivesPray on December 23rd for Christians in LibyaPray on December 24th for Christians in Yemen

Pastor Barnabas Hemrom recently received a letter containing death threats against him and nine other area pastors. The letter stated, “This time our plan is to kill one by one all those who are preaching Christianity in Bangladesh. Our country will be run only under Muslim laws.” Authorities are investigating the threat. Pray for the safety of Pastor Barnabas and the other pastors, and pray that those who sent the letter will be brought to justice.

...Since her incarceration, the 37-year-old believer has experienced some serious health concerns. Her arrest, imprisonment and treatment in prison have proven to be emotionally, spiritually and physically challenging. On September 29, 2013, Maryam was transferred from Evin prison to Modares hospital to be treated after an apparent heart attack. Although Maryam underwent cardiovascular surgery several years ago and has a history of heart problems, the pressure and stressful conditions have exacerbated her heart disease...

Namusisi Birye committed her life to Christ at an evangelistic outreach, leaving the Muslim religion of her family. When she returned from the event, she told her father about her decision. He immediately began beating her, with her mother’s support. Namusisi’s screams attracted a crowd of neighbors, and the believers among them rescued Namusisi. “[My parents] chased me away from home, saying that I am supposed to die,” Namusisi told a VOM worker. She received injuries to her back and ribs and remains in a lot of pain. Although she is being cared for by Christians, she is still being watched; her village is 95 percent Muslim. Pray for Namusisi’s healing and that those supporting her will determine a good plan for her long-term care.

Christian worker Peter Matheson* is working to bring hope to refugees. But the ongoing crisis has taken a toll on the many he serves -- and on him personally -- as he ministers in the midst of tremendous suffering.

Syrian and Iraqi refugees have become victims of a rebellion being fought against the Syrian regime and brutality caused by the self-proclaimed terrorist group ISIS and other Islamic extremists.

"The hardest thing in this ministry is just sitting down and listening to their hurts," Matheson said about spending time with the refugees. "They come, they arrive with little children just with the clothes on their back, because back in Syria their homes are destroyed, their businesses are destroyed ... women have been raped ... real torture goes on among men and young men in Syria."

Images and reports of beheadings, cruelty and pure evil continue to shadow refugees -- numbering in the millions -- from any light of hope. But Matheson is there to tell them about a loving God who cares deeply for all who are fleeing violence and that only He can push back the descending darkness.

Through the support of Southern Baptists, Matheson and fellow workers are able to distribute boxes of food and other critical necessities provided through gifts to Global Hunger Relief along the Syrian border.

"We are able, through the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, to focus 100 percent on the ministry that God has given us as workers ... as laborers in the field," Matheson said. "We're able to give all of our attention to people who are hurting by ministering to their physical, emotional and, most importantly, their spiritual needs."

U.S. churches also are playing a direct role in ministering to refugee needs alongside Matheson. A medical team from Mandarin Baptist Church of Los Angeles came to see the work firsthand and to help.

Nurse Katherine Lee* recognized that their physical presence to provide medical assistance is important, but the ongoing presence that Matheson provides is key to lasting hope. Matheson's physical presence, Lee said, has allowed him to listen and give comfort to the refugees, as well as to offer help and hope. She noted it makes a real difference in their lives...

..Raouf W. Ghattas, a Tennessee Baptist pastor known for his work in reaching Muslims with the Gospel, died Nov. 25 of an apparent heart attack at his home in Murfreesboro.

He was 69.Ghattas was noted for his love of Muslims and his desire to educate others about Islamic culture and sharing the Gospel with Muslims. He was pastor of Arabic Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, a congregation he helped establish in 2011 with his wife Carol.

Born in Cairo, Egypt, to an Evangelical Presbyterian family, he received a degree from Cairo University and immigrated to the United States in 1976. He worked for 12 years as a nuclear engineer.

God called him to pastor the Arabic Mission of University Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, where he served from 1985-1990 while earning a master of divinity and a doctor of ministry in Muslim evangelism from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary...

Prayer Blog

We Can Help Others With Our Prayers. Submit Yours, Pictures, Music, All of Your Loving Here. This Is A Community Effort; We Work in His Name. Prayers will be published, unedited; if you prefer to remain anonymous, please let us know.

You Can Submit via our Contact Form or email the webmaster (see link below)